Your Questions About Natural Gas, Answered
Natural gas is powering our modern way of life and helping to cut CO2 emissions. Here’s what this energy revolution is all about.
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UT-Austin’s Texas-Sized Goal: Cut Methane Emissions Even Further
CO2 emissions are at a 25-year low—and now we’re crunching data on reducing methane, too. Glimpse the tech that’s making it happen.
Learn MoreHarnessing Tech to Reduce Emissions
Scientists from across the industry are working on getting the world’s cleanest major fuel source even cleaner. For Drew Pomerantz, that process starts with a Ghostbusters bac
Learn More3 MIN | Workforce
A Drive to Generate Cleaner, More Efficient Power
Siemens’ Pratyush Nag and team are ushering in electricity’s future.
Learn More3 MIN | Energy Security
Meet Energy’s First Line of Defense
Cyberattacks threaten our energy infrastructure. See how Marisa Ruffolo and her Chevron colleagues protect an essential industry.
Learn MoreHow Natural Gas and Oil Power Economic Growth
All Americans use natural gas and oil, benefiting from an industry that supports 10.3 million American jobs — and the U.S. economy.
Learn MoreColorado State & Partners Want to See How Low Methane Emissions Can Go
What can the natural gas industry do to capture more methane? Researcher Dan Zimmerle has more than a few ideas.
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About the American Petroleum Institute
Natural gas and oil companies working with the brightest minds to tackle today’s most pressing issues.
Learn MoreA 40-Year Journey to American Energy Security
Today, the U.S. has an abundant supply of domestic energy. That would have been a pipe dream just four decades ago, when Americans had to rely on foreign energy. Thanks to new technology, investments in infrastructure and partnerships, America is an energy exporter. Here’s how it happened:
1980s-1990s
Early Partnerships
The Department of Energy, Gas Research Institute and Mitchell Energy partner to explore new ways to produce natural gas from the Texas Barnett Shale.
Source: Department of Energy
1998
Producing a Win
Mitchell Energy successfully produces commercial shale gas from the Barnett Shale.
Source: The Breakthrough Institute
2003
Gaining Momentum
Drawing on earlier discoveries, energy companies produce 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas — daily — from U.S. shale.
Source: Department of Energy
2005
American Ascent
U.S. natural gas production begins a rise that will continue for 10 years, ushering in a new age for American energy.
Source: Forbes
2011
A World Leader
Domestic natural gas production hits 5 trillion cubic feet, making the U.S. the world’s largest natural gas producer.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
2015
Unlimited Exports
President Obama ends limits on U.S. crude oil exports, signaling a new confidence in America’s ability to produce energy.
Source: Bloomberg
2016
Natural Gas > Coal
Now bountiful, cleaner natural gas replaces coal as the top fuel choice for generating electricity.
Source: The Washington Post
2017
Emissions Plummet
Thanks to the use of natural gas instead of coal in electricity generation, U.S. carbon emissions fall to a 25-year low.
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
2018
Second to None
The U.S. becomes the world’s leading producer of petroleum and natural gas, an important step toward robust energy security.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
2018
A Net Exporter
The U.S. exports more oil than it imports, demonstrating America is now a worldwide energy leader.
Source: Reuters
Generation Energy
Meet the people who are building a brighter future today.
Energizing Reads
Read on to explore more about American energy, the environment and more.
October 15, 2019
September 5, 2019